Video released in Victoria campaign to establish special unit for child abuse investigations

Apr 27 2012

There have been more developments today in the campaign to establish a special unit for child abuse investigations in Greater Victoria.

The ORCA Children's Advocacy Centre Society officially released a public service announcement highlighting the need for a coordinated response to child abuse.

The proposed ORCA Centre would have police, child protection workers, victim assistance staff and Crown prosecutors working together as a multi-disciplinary team - most of them based in a single location.

Project manager Fred Ford said specialized child abuse investigation centres, like the Zebra Centre in Edmonton, have been proven to reduce police costs, shorten court cases, and result in more charges, better evidence, more guilty pleas, higher conviction rates and more appropriate sentences. The also reduce victims' trauma by eliminating the need for them to repeatedly tell their stories, he said.

The public service announcement, sponsored by the Steve Nash Foundation, says "It's Time" that B.C. moved to set up the ORCA Centre and others like it across B.C.

There are encouraging signs in recent week. Justice Minister Shirley Bond has indicated support for the concept and her ministry gave the society $50,000 in development money.

The society hopes that with further government operating money and private donations the centre will open in early 2013